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Sunshine Parenting

[ENCORE] Ep. 52: 9 Ways to Help Kids Process Summer Camp and Other Experiences

Sunshine Parenting
Sunshine Parenting

In Episode 52, Sara Kuljis and I chat about ways to help our kids process experiences. The ideas work for post-summer camp debriefing but also for our kids' other adventures and experiences.

Sara is a 20-year veteran camp director and parenting trainer who has great insights and ideas about parenting and counseling kids.

Sara, with her husband Steve, owns and directs Yosemite Sierra Summer Camp, a Christian adventure camp for children ages 8 to 16 years old founded 45 years ago by Sara's parents Jim and Marna Slevcove. Together, the Kuljises also direct Emerald Cove Day Camp in San Juan Capistrano, a day camp that serves children from kindergarten through 4th grade.

9 Ways to Help Kids Process Experiences

  1. Plan time to rest/process.
  2. Listen to their stories.
  3. Look through photos together.
  4. Ask thoughtful questions:
    • What did you enjoy/love?
    • What was challenging?
    • When (not if!) you do it again, what will you do differently?
  5. Avoid "interviewing for pain" (Wendy Mogel).
  6. Bring home a ritual or tradition:
    • Flower Sundays
    WOWs
    • Goodnight Song
  7. Continue with an interest that's been sparked (archery, guitar, etc.).
  8. Create a remembrance.
  9. Encourage kids to stay in touch with new friends.

Books We Talked About

Off the Clock, Laura Vanderkam

Blessing of a Skinned Knee, Wendy Mogel

Blessing of a B-, Wendy Mogel

Like listening to Sara and Audrey chat? Here are our other podcast episodes!

https://sunshine-parenting.com/2019/04/ep-85-grit-is-grown-outside-the-comfort-zone-pegtalk/

Ep. 3: Raising Resilient, Independent Kids

Ep. 7: Family Pace & Space

Ep. 23: Peaceful Mornings

Ep. 28: Focusing on Our Kids' Strengths

Ep. 37: How to Get Ready for Overnight Summer Camp

Ep. 39: How to Handle Your Camper's Homesickness

Ep. 57: The Importance of Adult Friendships

Ep. 63: Growing Gratitude

Ep. 77: Comparison is the Thief of (Parenting) Joy

Ep. 82: Sibling Conflict, Pt. 1

Ep. 86: Conflict Resolution Skills for Siblings (and Everyone Else!)

Sunshine Parenting
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